Asia Cup: Pakistan win toss, elect to bat against India

DUBAI (92 News) – Pakistan captain Sarfraz Ahmed has won the toss and elected to bat first against India in Asia Cup Super Four match in Dubai on Sunday. With the final of Asia Cup on the line, Pakistan will be looking to exact revenge on their subcontinent neighbors after their eight-wicket defeat at the hands of India on Wednesday. Whereas, India are eyeing a place in the final after three wins in as many matches, while Pakistan will look to step up their game in the Super Four match, after a scare against Afghanistan. Opener Fakhar Zaman, who made a name for himself with a match-winning hundred against India in the final of Champions Trophy last year, flopped in their first game of the Asia Cup. Fakhar will look to make amends and so will be the likes of batsmen Babar Azam, Sarfraz and Iman-ul-Haq. Pakistan is wounded and India can fall victim to complacency. The men in green stand a chance if they score 260 or more. It’s 50-50 despite the fact that Pakistan have not played well lately. But we still have the capability and ability. Former Indian skipper Sourav Ganguly said the outcome of the match would be favourable to the team which scored over 100 with the loss of one wicket at the end of 25 overs. “I think 250-260 can be a match-winning total on this pitch. It will be difficult for either team to take ten wickets and what good disciplined bowling will be required,” Ganguly said. Following the first match between the arch-rivals, India went on to defeat Bangladesh by seven wickets while Pakistan pulled off a sensational last over three-wicket win against Afghanistan in the Super Four stage. The senior and former players gave some key points to win the match against India. Opener Fakhar should catch his form and Sarfraz should play with responsibility to quit his unnecessary shorts. Asif Ali has to prove his good selection. The fielders should not repeat their mistakes. If the Pakistani team controlled on the pressure than the victory will become in its fate. However, Skipper Sarfarz is full passionate to control the weaknesses of the fielding and hopeful for winning the match against its rival. The Pakistani cricket fans have also attached their expectations with the team and they said that today Sharma-eleven will be defeated by Pakistani Shaheen. Punjab Governor Sarwar, Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar and PPP leader Khurshid Shah expressed their good wishes for the team. Babar Azam (Pakistan): How Pakistan’s batting fares will go a long way to deciding this clash, and that makes Azam crucial to their chances. He has scored 33, 47, and 66 in Pakistan’s three matches so far, and coming in at one-drop, he will play a big role in nipping out any potential implosion in the bud. The Indian bowlers will want his wicket quickly. Rohit Sharma (India): The opener hasn’t let captaincy bog him down. He has scored 52 and 83* in his last two outings, but more importantly, has caught the eye with his captaincy as well. “Every time he has got an opportunity to captain India, he has shown his acumen,” Sunil Gavaskar said. “He has shown how patient he can be and then as a batsman, the added responsibility, only makes him better.” Conditions The dry heat will once again test players’ limits – temperatures are expected to touch 40°C. The pitches at the Asia Cup have so far assisted spinners plenty, and there’s nothing to suggest that will change. Squad Pakistan: Sarfraz Ahmed (c & wk), Fakhar Zaman, Shoaib Malik, Mohammad Amir, Shadab Khan, Imam ul Haq, Shan Masood, Babar Azam, Asif Ali, Haris Sohail, Mohammad Nawaz, Fahim Ashraf, Hasan Ali, Junaid Khan, Usman Shinwari, Shaheen Afridi India: Rohit Sharma (c), Shikhar Dhawan, Khaleel Ahmed, Jasprit Bumrah, Yuzvendra Chahal, MS Dhoni (wk), Kedar Jadhav, Dinesh Karthik, Kuldeep Yadav, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Manish Pandey, KL Rahul, Ambati Rayudu, Ravindra Jadeja, Deepak Chahar, Siddarth Kaul